NAACP Sues Elon Musk’s xAI Over Pollution From Data Centers Affecting Commuities In Memphis and North Mississippi
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed an appeal challenging the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s plan to issue an air permit to xAI’s affiliate company, MZX Tech. The appeal was filed on behalf of the NAACP, Young Gifted & Green, and the Safe and Sound Coalition, who believe the permit violates the law and threatens […] The post NAACP Sues Elon Musk’s xAI Over Pollution From Data Centers Affecting Commuities In Memphis and North Mississippi appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech..
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The Southern Environmental Law Center filed an appeal challenging the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s plan to issue an air permit to xAI’s affiliate company, MZX Tech. The appeal was filed on behalf of the NAACP, Young Gifted & Green, and the Safe and Sound Coalition, who believe the permit violates the law and threatens the health of families living in North Mississippi and South Memphis.
The permit allows xAI to allow 41 polluting methane gas turbines—essentially a personal power plant—at a site in Southaven, Mississippi. The power plant would supply electricity to the Colossus 2 data center, located on the other side of the state line in Memphis.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) approved the power plant permit last month, despite overwhelming opposition from people living near the data center.
“MDEQ’s rushed approval of this flawed air permit raises serious concerns about transparency, regulatory accountability, and whether the public is truly being heard in decisions that directly affect our health and environment,” Shannon Samsa, a member of the Safe and Sound Coalition, said.
xAI power plant affecting communities in Mississippi and South Memphis
xAI’s power plant would release an astounding amount air pollution and harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. The company’s 41 turbines would make it one of the largest sources of smog-forming pollution in the area, which is already failing to meet federal smog standards.
A recent study also found that fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5, from xAI’s power plant would increase health risks for families throughout the area—even in places as far away as Germantown, North Memphis, and Hernando. These pollutants increase the risk of asthma, heart attacks, respiratory disease, strokes, and even certain types of cancers.
“The NAACP has consistently challenged MDEQ’s lack of transparency and stands with residents within the region. We continue to call for the prioritization of people over billionaires and unvetted corporate expansion,” Abre’ Conner, NAACP Director of Environmental and Climate Justice said.
The permit affecting air quality
The permit is missing an integral element that can protect air quality and public health in nearby communities. MDEQ did not inform AI to obtain offsets, which are emissions reductions from other nearby polluters that can help counteract the facility’s pollution.
As the Memphis Metropolitan Area—which includes Southaven and North Mississippi—is currently failing to meet federal smog standards, MDEQ was required under its own rules to include offsets in the permit. Subsequently, this failure to include this important provision will harm air quality.
“This permit is unable to clear the most basic hurdle by failing to show that pollution from xAI’s 41 turbines won’t hurt air quality. This appeal aims to fix these glaring errors while holding the agency accountable.” SELC Senior Attorney Patrick Anderson added.
Image: Brandon Dill/Getty
The post NAACP Sues Elon Musk’s xAI Over Pollution From Data Centers Affecting Commuities In Memphis and North Mississippi appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech..
